When I start the computer up WICD initializes and starts the network up however it takes a long time. If I click on the wicd icon in the task bar it shows a "network manager" window . in that window are several networks besides mine and mine is set to auto connect. If I click on the connect button it causes wicd to activate my network much much faster , a matter of 15 or 20 seconds while if i wait it may be as much as 3 to five minutes ...... Is there a setting under the auto connect somewhere or even somewhere that will accomplish the auto connect to my network faster ?????

If you want to use Wicd and not Network manager, then I think you have to execute the steps from # Remove NetworkManager. Notice that Wicd can not work with IPv6, any form of dialup, any form of VPN, any form of mobile broadband, and so on. It will allow you to use baseic IPv4 on supported Ethernet and Wi-Fi devices only. It's pretty much obsoleted.